New Sale forward Dan Braid reckons the Sharks pack is coming together well ahead of the crunch Premiership clash with Exeter.

Kiwi enforcer Daniel Braid says it’s a case of forward march as far as Sale’s Premiership survival hopes are concerned.

Despite only being in England for barely a month, former All Blacks flanker Braid has instantly made his mark with the Sharks, and has been a pivotal figure in their progress through to the LV= Cup semi-finals.

What’s more, Braid and his colleagues in a re-energised pack have laid the foundations for Sale’s two successive bonus points wins in the Anglo-Welsh Cup, with the Sharks’ driving maul in particular emerging as a potent weapon in their armoury.

And as the former Auckland Blues star gears up for Friday's crucial return to Premiership action at home to Exeter Chiefs, he believes Sale’s pack horses hold the key to the club’s hopes of rising off the bottom of the table.

“From what I’ve seen, the coaches have gone back to basics. They have got the forward pack going well with good scrummaging and a good lineout and driving and it’s coming together very nicely,” the 31-year-old declared.

“I’ve probably arrived at quite a good time in that guys are coming back from injury, there have been two good wins in the LV= Cup and improved performances but I don’t think we can get ahead of ourselves. We’ve still got to perform in the Premiership over the next four games.

“It’s very important and it’s what it’s all about – the guys are going to have to front up and step up and continue what they have been doing. The good thing is that we have some confidence. We know that we can play together and win games of rugby so it’s about taking that confidence into these Premiership games.

“For a largely young pack with Dimes out on the training paddock I think we’ve come together quite nicely. I think someone like Tom Holmes has been outstanding. He’s abrasive which you need from a lock, he’s been making a lot of tackles.

“With those drives, we’ve been able to put a lot of pressure on teams with the driving maul. It’s brought tries and it’s also forced the opposition into yellow cards and given us the opportunity to increase the pressure.

“So I’ve been impressed with the young guys. Guys like Tommy Taylor and Ross Harrison are good keen lads who are playing some good rugby. The try that Tommy scored on Saturday was outstanding and he looked like a back but he’s also fronting up and doing the work up front.

“It’s why it’s important that we carry on and build this momentum and show that its not just a couple of flukes in the LV= Cup.

“We need to continue to dominate – especially up-front as that’s where it all starts. It’s so important that we maintain that approach.”

Though Braid has only signed a six-month contract, right from his arrival he made it clear he was hoping to secure a longer stay if possible.

And he admits he would be keen to prolong his stint at Sale.

“I’ve been here for a month and myself and the family have settled in nicely and we’ve all been made to feel really welcome,” said Braid.

“I’m signed until the end of May but I want to stay and play rugby in the northern hemisphere. What happens will happen over the next couple of months. I’m enjoying my rugby here at Sale and if things turn out that way, it would be nice.

“But that’s a long way down the track. First things first, we’ve got to win tomorrow and back up the Sunday after that as these Premiership games are really, really key and we can’t get ahead of ourselves.”